Chicken Pot Pie

I love this recipe, it is the ultimate comfort food.

2 cups shreeded chicken
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 stick butter
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 pkg of frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 tbl corn starch
Premade frozen pie crusts (I like the Pillsbury ones)

Saute your onion, potatoes and chicken in the butter. Cook for 10 minutes to precook the potatoes. Set aside in a separate bowl. In that pan add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 2 tbl of cornstarch to your milk and mix well. Add corn starch mixture to chicken broth and stir constantly (this will make a gravy).
Add the gravy to the potatoes, onions, and chicken, add frozen vegetables. Mix well.

Put your pie crust in the pan and add the filling. Put a pie crust on the top and crease edges. Put some slits in the top and bake at 425 for 30-40 minutes.

Pasta Fagoli Soup (Olive Garden)

This soup is delicious and I think it taste like the real deal. I think this version is a little spicier than the Olive Garden version but I like it. If you don't you can always cut back on the Tabasco. Very easy and yummy.

1lb of ground beef (browned and drained)
1/2 large red onion, chopped
1 cup carrots (I like the matchstix ones you find at the store)
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes w/ juice (14.5 ounces)
1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can white beans (drained and rinsed)
4 cups beef broth
1 jar (26 ounces) pasta sauce (Ragu or Prego)
2 tsp Oregano
1 Tbl Tabasco
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup dry pasta (add at end of cooking time)

This makes a lot! Brown and drain the hamburger, put all ingredients (except pasta) in a crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. About 30 minutes before serving time add the pasta. Serve with parmesan cheese.

Amazing Crockpot BBQ Chicken

This recipe is so easy and delicious.

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breast (you can even throw them in frozen)
1 bottle BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays is my favorite)
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder

Mix it all together, turn it on low for 4-6 hours and enjoy. So good.

Chicken Pesto Stuffed Shells

I love Pinterest. I have found so many great recipes there. This is one of my favorites.

12-16 jumbo pasta shells
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbl Pesto
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Garlic, Salt, & Pepper to taste

Cook pasta as directed on box, although don't cook until completely soft. They will finish when you bake them.
In a large bowl, combine all of the other ingredients. Fill the shells with the filling and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese over the top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Also great for freezing.....

(original recipe found at http://joelens.blogspot.com)

Rasberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

So yummy, they are a little difficult but worth it.
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 tbsp sugar

Mix together until everything is wet and put 1 tbsp in each cupcake. Smash down and bake for 5 mins at 325.

For the filling:
2 lbs cream cheese at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs at room temp

Beat the cream cheese on medium high speed until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fill cupcakes with 3 tbsp of cream cheese filling

For the topper
6 oz raspberries
2 tbsp sugar

Combine raspberries and sugar in a blender. Process until smooth. Put a few drops on top of the cheesecake and swirl with a toothpick. (This also works with any fruit or even jam).

Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These were delicious and it makes about 6 dozen (be prepared to share).

1 cup Shortening
3 cups Sugar
2 Eggs
5 cups flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1 lg can of pumpkin
1 pkg chocolate chips

Cream sugar and shortening, add eggs and vanilla. Add in all dry ingredients. Drop by teasponful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 mins.

Fried Potatoes and Hamburger

This may sound disgusting to you but it is one of my childhood favorites. Super easy and good.

1 lb hamburger (cooked and drained)
3-4 potatoes (peeled and cut into thin ovals)
1/2 cup onion
butter

In a large frying pan cook the onion, butter, and potatoes until done. It takes 30 minutes or so. I like my potatoes somewhat crispy, but whatever you prefer. When the potatoes are almost to your liking add in the hamburger and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Serve with ketchup. Yum!